Martini Competition: SCHEA puts on annual event
Grab tickets now for the Best South Cape Martini Competition because they are going fast.
Hosted by the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations, the 11th annual event will be held on Jan. 28 from 7 to 11 p.m. in the downtown area. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 day of and include a one-ounce martini sampler and an appetizer from each of the 11 venues and trolley service.
“This is definitely our biggest event,” Donna Meola, SCHEA’s executive director, said.
“It is our longest running event,” she added.
Only 1,200 tickets are being sold for the competition, and it always sells out.
“We are getting very close to selling out,” Meola said on Thursday.
She estimated that more than half of the tickets were gone.
This year, the participating locations are:
* BackStreets Sports Bar
* Big Blue Brewing
* Cruiser’s Lounge
* Dixie Roadhouse
* Monkey Bar & Steakhouse
* Rack’em Billiards
* Ralph’s Place
* Rockade
* The “World Famous” Cigar Bar
* Tiki Hut Bar & Grill
* Two Amigos Mexican-American Cuisine Bar & Grill
Advance tickets can be purchased at the venues.
“The participating locations are running out of physical tickets,” Meola said.
The tickets can also be bought online at: www.eventbrite.com/.
“Most definitely purchase their tickets now,” she said.
Meola noted that the New Year’s Event event sold out days beforehand.
“These events are really going,” she said.
Designated Driver tickets will be available for $20 in advance only at BackStreets Sports Bar. DD ticket holders get to enjoy the appetizers at each of the venues, as well as non-alcoholic drinks.
“They really step up their game – the bars and restaurants – for this one,” Meola said.
Some of the martini samplers include the Glass Slipper from Cruiser’s Lounge, the Monkeytini at the Monkey Bar, the Rocking Peach Martini from Rockade and the Melon Martini at the Two Amigos.
“Rack’em (Billiards) has a Breakfast Martini. It’s being made with Jimmy’s Java,” she said.
“Their appetizer is hotcakes and syrup,” Meola added.
She noted that The “World Famous” Cigar Bar is serving a vodka-infused martini.
“But their appetizer is marinated petite pork shanks,” Meola said, adding that BackStreets Sports Bar will be serving a Strawberry Shortcake martini. “Her appetizer is sweet chili coconut shrimp.”
Some of the other appetizers to be served at this year’s event are Big Blue meatballs at Big Blue Brewing, caramel-drizzled brownie bites at the Dixie Roadhouse and chicken skewers from the Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, as well as stuffed crab mushrooms drizzled with Sriracha aioli at Ralph’s Place.
“The participants go all out for this event,” she said.
Attendees get to vote on the Best Martini and the Best Appetizer.
“The passport they will be given at check-in will be their voting ballot,” Meola said.
Each of the winners will receive $500 from SCHEA.
“It’s a big competition among them, and they take it seriously,” she said.
Attendees have a chance to win an ice bucket filled with vodka and martini glasses.
“All the liquors needed to make a martini,” Meola said.
They do not have to purchase a drink at a venue to receive a stamp. Once they have their entire passport stamped and filled out, they turn it in at any participating location or to a trolley hostess.
Trivia games aboard the trolleys provide another shot at taking home goodies.
“There are $5 gift cards from each participating location,” she said. “There’s keychains, koozies, T-shirts – things of that nature.”
A photo booth will be set up in front of the Dixie.
“Participants can get their pictures taken for free,” Meola said. “We hired a photographer.”
The photos will be put on SCHEA’s website and Facebook page in the following days.
Organizers urged the public to pick up their tickets.
“What a fun event this is,” she said. “Get out with your neighbors, have fun and learn a little more about your entertainment district.”
Check-in will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Big John’s and Club Square shopping plazas. Attendees who cannot make it for check-in can do so after 7:30 p.m. at the Dixie Roadhouse.
This is a 21 and over event; valid identification will be required at check-in.
For more information, visit: www.southcapeentertainment.com/ or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations.